Bus conductor's family hopeful of his return

Residents of Shakurpura locality here had anxious moments on Wednesday as word spread that the Punjab Roadways bus in which local lad Raman Kumar was on board as conductor had fallen into the Bhakra canal.

Residents of Shakurpura locality here had anxious moments on Wednesday as word spread that the Punjab Roadways bus in which local lad Raman Kumar was on board as conductor had fallen into the Bhakra canal.

As the rescue operation for the missing persons was on, the family of 22-year-old Raman Kumar had their fingers crossed about his safety. Prayers were on at the house as everyone hoped for a miracle.

With tears in his eyes, Parbodh Kumar, his father, said, "Today at 11am, I received a call from the Amritsar depot that the bus on which my son was officiating had fallen into a canal. We have faith in god and nothing will happen to my son."

Parbodh said Raman joined the roadways eight months ago and did his duty with dedication.An inconsolable Mani Rani, his mother, had her eyes set on the door expecting her son to walk in anytime.

Pall of gloom descends on driver's village

Tarn Taran: A pall of gloom descended on Wan Tara Singh village as the news of the bus accident spread in this border village. Bus driver Surinder Singh belongs to the village near Bhikhiwind in this district.

Locals gathered at Surinder's house and prayed for his well being.

According to the family, the 35-year-old had been working in the Amritsar depot of Punjab Roadways for six years. He is married with a four-year-old son.

Amir Singh, a resident of the village, who was on his way to the accident site along with male members of Surinder's family, told HT on phone, "We left as soon as we got the news. We are on the way with a prayer on our lips, hoping for a miracle."

Amir said the women members of the family were told that as there was a "minor" road accident they were going to bring Surinder home.